Fisheries Research Section
Fisheries Research is a Section within the Fisheries Research and Development Division, which forms one of the six main branches of SFA. The Section comprised of three Scientific Units and the Research Vessel Unit
Since the establishment of the SFA, the Research Section has implemented an extensive list of research projects and work programmes to support the development of fisheries in Seychelles. The SFA has a good record of collaborative research with national and international partners in support of fisheries research and development of capacities for its staff.
The roles of the Fisheries Research Section
The roles of the Fisheries Research Section are as follows:
- Develop and carry out applied research to improve our understanding of fisheries, population biology and dynamics, effects of climate change and the relationships between the ecosystems and the fisheries they support
- Collect and manage data pertaining to the assessment of fisheries resources
- Assess the status of fisheries resources to provide robust advice to resource managers, fisheries stakeholders, partners and the general public on the management and development of Seychelles fisheries.
Research priorities
The research priorities can be grouped into four major areas:
- Research to support the implementation and development of Fisheries Management and National Plans
- Research to support sustainability of fisheries resources
- Research to better understand the links between the environment and fisheries resources
- Research to promote diversification in fishing activities
Working with others
The Fisheries Research Section implements a large number of work programmes and projects. In order to effectively deliver all these projects, the SFA has established various collaborations with national and international partners. Examples of such partners include the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF), the Island Conservation Society (ICS), the Marine Conservation Society Seychelles (MCSS), the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and the James Michel Blue Economy Research Institute (BERI) to assist in capacity building and promote partnership for joint research and development of projects.
The Research Plan provides a guide for priority areas where SFA can engage with partners to build partnership on. The Fisheries Research Section will proactively pursue additional collaborations to assist in the implementation of the Research Plan.
